Chapter 254/255: The Thief Who Cried Thief

Gu Qichen said calmly, “Is there a problem with me buying a necklace for my wife?”

Shen Manbing sneered. “The Heart of the Kingdom was auctioned at Sotheby's three years ago for $1.4 million, purchased by a mystery buyer. We were both there. You can fool others, but not me.”

“What's your point?”

“Gu Qichen, your presence here today, especially with Mo YinFeng—whose purchase certificate still bears wet ink—is suspicious.”

Gu Qichen remained silent.

Shen Manbing pressed on. “I admire your audacity. You contacted the original buyer through Mo YinFeng, repurchased the necklace at an inflated price, obtained a new certificate, and presented it here to exonerate Xia Yangyang. For a necklace worth less than one hundred million, you spent two hundred million to save her. Once Xia Yangyang was taken into custody, any later justification would seem like a whitewash. To close this case, you made her the owner of the necklace. But Gu Qichen, you spent a hundred million to protect a thief! Doesn't your conscience bother you?”

Gu Qichen said coldly, “Yangyang is not a thief. I will investigate thoroughly.”

Shen Manbing retorted, “On what basis? The necklace was in her bag; she was caught red-handed.”

“She had no reason, absolutely no reason. She doesn't crave wealth or luxury.”

Shen Manbing laughed. “She had a very big reason—to frame me.”

Gu Qichen affirmed, “Yangyang is not that kind of person.”

“Gu Qichen, you saw it yourself. Everyone believed I was framing her. She stole the necklace, arranged to be caught, and then blamed me. A perfect 'thief crying thief' scheme! She’s far more cunning than you realize.”

“I believe Yangyang.”

“Gu Qichen, what about the truth? She was remarkably calm during the search, even voluntarily handing over her bag. Would a normal person react that way? Everything was calculated.”

Gu Qichen said calmly, “You misunderstand. She wouldn't do that. I will investigate and give you an explanation.”

Shen Manbing was furious. “You’re all blinded by her! Gu Qichen, I always considered you wise and calm. What has she done to you? Fine, I’ll wait for your investigation. If you can’t clear this up, I won't let her go. I, Shen Manbing, am not easily bullied. Don't blame me for not sparing your precious little wife.”

Shen Manbing left. Xia Yangyang remained, her heart growing cold and numb.

The necklace wasn't a planned gift but an impromptu rescue. Gu Qichen hadn't told her the truth, not even in the hour after they arrived. Her initial surprise turned into disillusionment. Why did Gu Qichen do it? To prove his innocence, or to prevent Shen Manbing from taking the blame for the setup?